User:Snhowerton64/Potamogeton diversifolius

Potamogeton diversifolius

Potamogeton diversifolius

Description

Potamogeton diversifolius is a vascular aquatic plant that is sometimes known as waterthread pondweed or diverse-leaved pondweed. Some synonyms are Potamogeton capillaceus var. atripes, Potamogeton capillaceus and Potamogeton diversifolius var. multidenticulatus. The plant has dimorphic leaves and is thread like. The leaves are both floating and submerged in water. The floating leaves tend to usually have 7-11 distinct veins, are elliptic and oval in outline. They submerged leaves are alternating, smaller and only usually have 3 veins. Submersed leaves have stipules at the base of the leaf petiole that forms a sheath around the stem.The plant is pale green is in total 0.78-2.5 inches long and 0.02-0.06 inches wide. The plant is a perennial with multi-branched stems extending between 40-80 cm long. Stipules of the submersed leaves are fused at the base of the leaf blade and 4-10 mm long The fruits are almost disk-shaped and tend to curve inward towards each other. They also usually have lateral keels and are 0.9 to 2.0 mm in diameter. Flowers range between 1-15 with spikes that are dimorphic. Seeds are formed in clusters. The clusters range from 1-15 and on the stalks of submersed leaves. The floating leaves have lindrical spikes that contain seeds ranging from 5-120 in the axils. The plant blooms red with flowers and fruits throughout June to December. The waterthread pondweed has a stem that is horizontal, threadlike and cylindrical with the root branching off of that. Rooting occurs at the nodes of the plants. The elliptical floating and submersed leaves and the distinctive veins help to distinguish the plant from other types of pondweeds.

Taxonomy

The order of the plant is Alismatales, the family is Potamogetonaceae and the genus is Potamogen. The taxonomy of this plant has been debated for years and yet still is a confusing situation. It has been separated into two different species P. diversifolius in the strict sense and P. capillaceus (M, L. Fernald 1932). Since then the species has also been divided into varieties, var. diversifolius and var. trichophyllus (D. S. Correl l and M. C. Johnston 1970). The variety of trichophyllus has been found to be misapplied. We are now following E. J. Klekowski Jr. and E.O. Beal (1965) in only accepting one taxon. Potamogeton diversifolious was found to be a subsection of the genus known as Hybridi.

Uses

Potamogeton diversifolius is known to be used as food to approximately 124 known animals. The plant provides a habitat for many micro and macro invertebrates. After the species dies the decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food for more invertebrates. The seeds are eaten by waterfowl. Leaves are either eaten by fish or other invertebrates. Potamogeton diversifolius is known to be a host of aquatic fungi. In a study on the food of game ducks it was recorded that 11.04% of their food was Potamogeton diversifolius within 247 locations between the United States and Canada. Proportion of P. diversifolius in the diet of game ducks along the Atlantic coast was 11.73%, 13.29% in eastern region, 6.06% in Mississippi region, 3.99% at the Gulf coast, 16.29% in western region, 12.14% in Pacific coast, 12.73% in Western Canada and 12.47% in Eastern Canada.

Location

The plant can be found in shallow bodies of water including streams, ponds and shallow sections of the lakes. This species is one of the most numerous pondweeds throughout the country and can be found in 43 states within the United States. This pondweed is in different types of still waters such as pools, ponds, lakes, and even some streams. The plant is currently listed as invasive in Cuba. Water thread pondweed can be found in fresh water. In an experiment involving fish predation scientist discovered that Potamogeton diversifolius was only found within fish free enclosures. P. diversifolius occurs scattered throughout the United Stated except for the New England states. In recent years the species has been found in newly excavated ditches that contain clay like soil. The species has been found at elevations as high as 2744 m. high. P. diversifolius has been found within both full sunlight and partial shade. It is more than likely the most common species of Potamogeton in southeastern United States.

Distribution

New Hampshire to California, south to Florida and northern Mexico. Also, can be found in Cuba.This is one of the most numerous pondweeds in the U.S. Found in nearly all states except, the extreme Northeastern states including Washington and California.

Management

This species is very sensitive to water quality. Potamogeton diversifolius requires both high water levels and sunlight. There currently are no threats to this plant. The global conservation status rank of this species is G5. Dicchlobenil is one of the herbicides that has been proven to be effective in controlling pondweeds.Water thread pond weed can be removed easily by scooping, raking or gathering it from the pond, but will just regrow from any left seeds or roots. One way to reduce P. diversifolius growth in water is non-toxic dyes to help reduce the amount of sunlight. Water thread pondweed can be propagated by either seeds or transplanting of the roots during early spring into shallow, clear water.